Leaving The Field After 30 Years, Parks Superintendent Amos Jackson Plans To Retire.

January 11, 1990|By JULIA McLAUGHLIN, Staff Writer

BOCA RATON -- In 1960, when Amos Jackson went to work for the city, the landscaping crew he was a part of only had Memorial Park to maintain -- and that park only had a ball field.

Now, after 30 years of service with the city, Jackson is retiring as the parks superintendent, the person in charge of the city`s almost 25 parks and recreational facilities.

Going to work for the city, he said, ``certainly paid off to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. I certainly never dreamed I would end up where I am today.``

As the city`s park network grew over the years, Jackson, 57, grew with them, working his way up the ranks.

Jackson came to work for the city several months after his brother, Q.J. ``Bud`` Jackson, had started work for the city. ``He encouraged me to come to work for the city,`` Amos Jackson said. ``I accepted a job with the city for the security at the time.``

In 1969, Jackson was promoted from the landscaping crew to a foreman, becoming the first black in the city to earn a promotion, Jackson said. In 1973, he became the supervisor of parks, and a year later, when the parks and recreation departments were merged, he became parks superintendent. He now holds the highest rank of any black city employee.

Jackson said he thinks the reason he was able to rise in the ranks was because he continued his education, earning an associates degree.

But those who have worked with Jackson say his success involves more than just a college education.

``I really appointed Amos because he showed good leadership ability,`` said Jim Rutherford, the former city manager and parks and recreation department head. ``He worked well with his employees. He was respected by everyone in the city family.``

Rutherford said that one of Jackson`s talents included an ability to ease tensions during labor negotiations. ``Amos was always a very calming influence,`` Rutherford said.

City Council member Alan Alford, also a former city manager, said that Jackson viewed his employment with the city as more than just a job. ``It wasn`t just an employment, it was investment,`` Alford said.

And, of course, there is Boca Raton`s reputation for beautiful parks and landscaping to consider.

``He created a standard,`` said Tom Alexander, the current parks and recreation head. ``He`s the guy you have to give credit to.``

What does Jackson plan to do for his retirement? He says that he`s going to wait for his wife, a schoolteacher, to finish school for the summer, and then they plan to travel around the country.

``I`ll just relax until she`s out for the summer,`` he said. ``I`ve had about four job offers, but I don`t know really what I`ll get into.``

The city is throwing him a retirement party on Friday at old Town Hall.

``The day-to-day grind really got to me,`` he said. ``I think it`s time to move on and see if there`s other things in the world for me.``

AMOS JACKSON

AGE: 57.

PERSONAL: Married, six children.

HOMETOWN: Boca Raton.

BACKGROUND: Started as a landscaper with the parks department of the city 30 years ago. Worked way up to foreman, supervisor and then parks superintendent.